Owning a casual business is easier said than done. Although we’ve gone through the basics of what the (sometimes infuriating) term means in 2025, things go much deeper. So deep, in fact, that we’re starting at the bottom, where thankfully the best business casual shoes for men are nothing short of a blessing in disguise: A happy medium between the full-on dress shoes that gather dust on the backside of your clothing. closet and tattered sneakers piled precariously by your front door.
Truth be told, business casual shoes also curb some of our worst impulses when it comes to shoes. For example, dress shoes are generally nice, but comically sized heels are best avoided. The same goes for sneakers: minimalist kicks are usually fine, but bright colors and big logos? Better not. Below, we’ve rounded up the best of every possible shoe category. Our favorite thing is that whichever you choose, you’ll get thousands of miles on them outside of the office, too. A lot of bang for the buck you work so hard for.
For more on your 9-to-5, be sure to check out the Office Style Shop, our first-ever shoppable guide to workplace style, filled with strong outfits carefully curated by the GQ team Recommends.
In this buying guide
Laceups & business casual derby
In general, these are your safest bets when it comes to the business side of business casual. Black and brown lace-ups will blend in perfectly when you find yourself wearing a suit, but these pairs in particular are just as at home with jeans and chinos. Many of the following are commonly seen around GQ and the towers.
Business casual sneakers
Sneakers have become increasingly common around the office over the past decade, but before you consider buying these, make sure you’re sure your business is okay with something so casual. If the answer is yes, you’re in luck! Because the following business-ready sneakers are simply some of the best sneakers out there, period. Just be careful not to tear them also a lot.
Business casual boots
Let’s not get confused here folks, when we say “business casual boots”, we mean understated and sophisticated. Banish any vision of heavy soles or weatherproof materials. Also, the boot adventure calls for keeping the rest of your style on the conservative side—and always resisting any urge to tuck in the hems of your pants. You are a very serious businessman, not a rodeo clown.
Read more: The best dress boots for men
Business casual loafers
Ah, the bread. If the gods didn’t wear sandals, we swear they’d wear moccasins. Although these come steeped in tradition, don’t let that put you off – there are enough variations out there to let you show your personality with ease. And again, you’ll be able to wear these far beyond any conference room in sight, whether you go with a simple pair or a new style. All you need are some white socks and blue jeans.
Read more: The best moccasins for men
Frequently asked questions about business casual shoes
What colors should I consider for business casual shoes?
Like all business casual things, it’s all a matter of angle. Think about your workplace and the general atmosphere. If an electric pink brogue would be a landmark first in your ranks, let someone else blaze that trail. You will always be confident in the shade of brown or black, so start there. If you’re sure you can push the boundaries a bit, feel free to throw a nice white sneaker or chocolate suede into the mix.
What materials should I avoid?
If you look at your shoes and there’s nothing “business” about them, you’re probably looking at a material you should avoid. If it’s the kind of shoe you can wear to the beach, you’re definitely looking for a material to avoid. To summarize: Get rid of most canvases and linens, both of which get dirty very quickly and read as casual or leisure. We would also advise against experimenting with any graphic designs or giant logos.
What makes a shoe “business casual”?
Oh man, we could write a book about this. And we somehow have up. But we’ll tone it down for now: a business casual shoe is as at home in the office as it is a company picnic in the park In general, business casual shoes should be in a material that reads BUsINEss: a hide or a chamois. (Sneakers can have some leeway here.) Second, they can draw attention, but for the right reasons—keep them neutral. And finally, they should never have conspicuous logos.
